that irregular host aspired to be his own master: like their nominal
leader, each was poor to penury, and trusted for subsistence on his
journey to the chances of the road. Rolling through Germany like a
tide, they entered Hungary, where, at first, they were received with
some degree of kindness by the people. The latter had not yet caught
sufficient of the fire of enthusiasm to join the crusade themselves,
but were willing enough to forward the cause by aiding those embarked
in it. Unfortunately, this good understanding did not last long. The
swarm were not contented with food for their necessities, but craved
for luxuries also: they attacked and plundered the dwellings of the
country people, and thought nothing of murder where resistance was
offered. On their arrival before Semlin, the outraged Hungarians
collected in large numbers, and, attacking the rear of the crusading
host, slew a great many of the stragglers, and, taking away their arms
and crosses, affixed them as trophies to the walls of the city. Walter
appears to have been in no mood or condition to make reprisals; for
his army, destructive as a plague of locusts when plunder urged them
on, were useless against any regular attack from a determined enemy.
Their rear continued to be thus harassed by the wrathful Hungarians
until they were fairly out of their territory. On his entrance into
Bulgaria, Walter met with no better fate; the cities and towns refused
to let him pass; the villages denied him provisions; and the citizens
and country people uniting, slaughtered his followers by hundreds. The
progress of the army was more like a retreat than an advance; but as
it was impossible to stand still, Walter continued his course till he
arrived at Constantinople, with a force which famine and the sword had
diminished to one-third of its original number.

The greater multitude, led by the enthusiastic Hermit, followed
close upon his heels, with a bulky train of baggage, and women and